The Malvern is a weird one on the 1 last, it was too tight for me in the toe box and I returned it. Going down in size and up in width had too much heel slippage. But the Shelton, Leeds (shell & calf), Wilbert (brown & black), Dalton, Bradley, Bayfield (brown & black) all fit me fine in the toe box. However my Shelton's are older and someone posted not long ago that he had replaced his older Shelton with a newer pair and the newer pair was tighter in the toe box. So I think at least some of the #1 last shoes are going to vary, depending on the model. The Malvern is definitely the tightest toe box on the #1 last that I have seen. Ordered the Katmai in the current sale and they should be at the house tonight, my main concern is that they are modeled too closely to the Malvern in fit.

Interesting that everyone says the toe box on the Malverns is tight. I have found it to be the exact opposite and to have at least as much room in the toe box as my Park Avenues and Strands. As for my 8 last Delray's, there is no comparison. The 8 last is really tight in the toe box.

As for the heel slippage, I found that it was really extreme for the first few months of breaking the shoe in. I originally attributed it to the 3 eyelet lacing, which does not allow you to cinch the shoe to your foot as tightly as other AE's, but now realize it was this and the fact that the sole was very stiff and not flexing. Now that I've been wearing them once a week for 4-5 months, I've noticed that I get no heel slippage.

One of my favorite shoes that I wear with jeans, wool slacks and even sport coats.

oh yea? how much are they on clearence? The outlet is 40mins away but id take a drive if it was a deal.

2 shoes for $200. Call and see what they have, they may not have any in stock at your location but can order them in if available in your size. Here are my black bayfields (once again) that I just picked up in the sale with some polish on them.

I love these shoes too, but I would have never paid full price for a shoe I might wear only a handful of times every year. I was tempted but didn't end up getting them because I already have a pair of Strawfuts, some Grenson penny loafer bucks, and a few other "summery" shoes. Great buy!

yeah, $345 for rare use shoes is not something I'm ready to accept just yet. At $100, its a non issue.

I just noticed, in this pic:

the linen on the shoe damn near matches the carpet...looks like there is a big hole in the middle of the shoe haha

Quote:

Originally Posted by Man Of Lint

This wear reveals your walking habits. It is not the fault of the shoe. Don't drag your feet when you walk and don't 'toe tap'.
Also, don't kick cabs, especially in Montreal.
Beautiful shoes, congratulations.

its not necessarily about dragging your feet. Some people's gait just wears toes faster than others.

Interesting that everyone says the toe box on the Malverns is tight. I have found it to be the exact opposite and to have at least as much room in the toe box as my Park Avenues and Strands. As for my 8 last Delray's, there is no comparison. The 8 last is really tight in the toe box.

I remember reading the reviews on the AE website for the Malvern and the early ones all said they fit well, and one person even said they were roomy. Wonder if AE didn't change something after early production.

I realized last night that I did try the Clifton on the 8 last. The first shoe was my normal 10D and it was just too long, the crease was too far forward. However it didn't seem tight in the toebox or any where else. I sent it back for a 9.5D because there was enough room, and I have a very narrow heel enough that I can't wear loafers without coming out of them. The 9.5D was way too tight for me and the topline exhibited bowing so had to go back anyhow. I gave up at that point, not sure if the 8 last works for me. With all the variations in foot structure that people have I'm thinking AE has enough combinations of lasts to fit pretty much everyone.

I remember reading the reviews on the AE website for the Malvern and the early ones all said they fit well, and one person even said they were roomy. Wonder if AE didn't change something after early production.

I realized last night that I did try the Clifton on the 8 last. The first shoe was my normal 10D and it was just too long, the crease was too far forward. However it didn't seem tight in the toebox or any where else. I sent it back for a 9.5D because there was enough room, and I have a very narrow heel enough that I can't wear loafers without coming out of them. The 9.5D was way too tight for me and the topline exhibited bowing so had to go back anyhow. I gave up at that point, not sure if the 8 last works for me. With all the variations in foot structure that people have I'm thinking AE has enough combinations of lasts to fit pretty much everyone.

I will probably never buy another 8 last shoe. They are comfortable enough for around the office, but if I have to walk a 1/2 mile or so, the tight toe box is a killer.

I have a Q for you gm - what do you guys think of Lexingtons? I have listed this new pair of Firsts and believe its fairly priced. Is the style not received well or is it just losing to Strands these days?

My Strawfuts have the same glue stain. I totally agree with everything you said about them and really was surprised I like them so much. I used some Saphir medium brown cream to cover the glue stain (and the whole shoe) and you can not see it any more. It is tricky doing the mesh, less cream is better it took very thin coats to keep from filling the openings in the mesh. The medium brown Saphir is very brown and the Strawfuts brown is more reddish so I will rotate between burgundy and brown cream. Congratulations on both pairs!

Thanks! I really like them a lot more than I was expecting to and the brown color is really a nice addition to my current rotation of browns: chili randolphs, walnut strands, burnished brown fifth aves -- the strawfut brown is, like you said, a bit redder. I really am looking forward to wearing those this summer.

Also - thanks for the input about the Saphir cream -- I'll give it a try. Did you just apply it to the mesh the same way you would the rest of the shoe (albeit in thinner layers)?

Damn those always make my heart skip a beat. Can't wait for mine and really believe they will be the flagship of any wingtip collection. Outstanding, and the results of brushing really shows well on your shells.

Thank you! As you noted, brushing is "the answer" when it comes to shell. These have been brushed only... probably a dozen wearings to go before their first application of any product. I will say that they are the flagship of my collection. I hope yours arrive soon!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaihoo

those BBs are worth that pretty penny Jaggs. GL

I have a Q for you gm - what do you guys think of Lexingtons? I have listed this new pair of Firsts and believe its fairly priced. Is the style not received well or is it just losing to Strands these days?

I like that look (That style has been called the Lexington and Sanford over the years. Basically, a 5-eyelet cap-toe blucher with brogueing. I think the balmorals have been getting a little more press as of late, with the return of the Strand, but the cap toe blucher is a classic shoe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coldsnap

oh yea? how much are they on clearence? The outlet is 40mins away but id take a drive if it was a deal.

You definitely want to call them first, to see if they have your size.